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MERS Virus the New Global Threat

usCrow contributors tend to focus on communism, war, and tyranny. However, we clearly outline several other threats the survival and prepper community should be prepared for. Viral Pandemic is listed in our Top 5 Reasons to be a Prepper, and with viruses like MERS it’s not hard to see why. Now, I rarely like citing the WHO (World Health Organization) findings, but in this case it’s acceptable. According to the WHO, MERS is a threat to the entire world…

“These are alarm bells and we must respond. The novel coronavirus is not a problem that any single affected country can keep to itself or manage all by itself. The novel coronavirus is a threat to the entire world…” – Dr. Margaret Chan WHO (World Health Organization)

MERS Virus Explained

MERS-CoV stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. MERS is a Group IV viral strain. MERS Group IV classification is defined by positive-sense single stranded RNA genomes. This puts the MERS viral strain in the same viral group as; Hepatitis A/C, SARS, & Rubella. In its current state it does not belong to the real bad boys in the room, Group V; Ebola, Influenza, Measles, Mumps and etc. Why is MERS a threat? MERS-CoV has a knack for getting by innate immune responses, thus effecting interferon production in cells in addition to it’s symptoms…

MERS Symptoms

As a Group IV viral strain, MERS has been reported having similarities to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). This means such symptoms include severe acute pneumonia and renal failure, likely ending in fatality. In addition other symptoms of MERS include; fever, coughing, expectoration (spitting up), and shortness of breath. Like all infections, MERS coronavirus invades the host’s cells and takes them over. MERS then forces your cells to process virus particles.

MERS Global Threat

The first reported case of MERS was in September 2012 (seriously is September a cursed month?) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In February 2013, WHO reported 13 additional cases; 6 cases from Saudi Arabia (4 were fatal), 2 fatal cases in Jordan, 2 in Qatar, and 3 in the United Kingdom. In May 2013, MERS has been confirmed in France and 3 additionally fatal cases have been confirmed in Saudi Arabia. So all in all, there have been 30+/- known cases of MERS that resulted in death. The unofficial global count is 49.

The United States has bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, and etc with troops returning home, but don’t freak out! MERS has an incubation period of approximately 9-12 days, in theory symptoms would be identified before the plane even landed and standard quarantine procedures would begin. In addition, MERS has a very low human-to-human transmission rate in its current state. I’d be more worried about the eccentric philanderer dabbling in Dubai before I worried about our GIs.

In closing…

I rarely give credit to government organizations but when it comes to population killing viruses, our health organizations are pretty ‘on the ball’ about it, relatively speaking. Self-preservation is a great motivator. Reliance upon WHO/ CDC’s ability to address MERS and other viral outbreaks should be limited at best. Genetic mutations happen every day, just like SARS, if MERS mutates into an airborne virus with a high human-to-human transmission rate… we’re screwed. So what can we do in the meantime? Prepare for a Viral PandemicTransmitting [6921]

About Administrator Ryan

usCrow.org – The Survival Site for Americans – Mission: Provide Americans guidance to preserve their life, liberty, and happiness. usCrow regularly publishes unique survival articles written by service members, private contractors and civilians specializing in; emergency management, combat medicine, combat, survival, prepping, etc. Authors are permitted to publish any article relevant to the protection of American lives. Readers are permitted to share usCrow.org online articles.
Administrator Ryan has been the primary handler for usCrow since it's founding and has written hundreds of articles for this and other survival sites, while assisting in CMF coordination efforts.

One suggestion on “MERS Virus the New Global Threat”

Recently we came four votes away from the United States Senate giving our Constitutional rights over to the United Nations. In a 53-46 vote, the senate narrowly passed a measure that will stop the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

The Statement of Purpose from the bill read:
To uphold Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.
The U.N. Small Arms Treaty, which has been championed by the Obama Administration, would have effectively placed a global ban on the import and export of small firearms. The ban would have affected all private gun owners in the U.S. and had language that would have implemented an international gun registry on all private guns and ammo. The ultimate purpose of the “treaty” is to confiscate all privately owned firearms in all countries supporting the treaty.

Astonishingly, 46 of our United States Senators were willing to GIVE AWAY our Constitutional rights to a foreign power.

Want to know the names of those trying to give our rights away? Visit my Facebook and please like this. Copy this and send it to everyone you know that wants to live free!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, please keep her the way she was ment to be! So be it.